Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reshaped the state’s political landscape in a dramatic realignment, distancing himself from the INDIA bloc and renewing his alliance with the BJP—sending reverberations through regional and national politics.

Nitish’s return to the BJP-led NDA coalition came just weeks into 2024, disrupting the alliance he helped forge and dashing hopes of a broader opposition coalition. Known for his strategic shifts, the 73-year-old leader maintains tight control over Bihar’s 2025 electoral strategy.

The switch has triggered a cascade of political recalibration. The BJP has leveraged the move by inducting key figures like Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha into deputy chief minister roles, enhancing its influence within the state government. The reshuffle of state commissions and redistribution of portfolios point to calculated caste-based manoeuvres designed to consolidate both Nitish’s traditional Kurmi-Koeri base and BJP’s rising OBC backing.

Meanwhile, internal dynamics within the NDA alliance are tightening. Tensions surfaced when Nitish publicly questioned LJP leader Chirag Paswan’s entry into the upcoming assembly polls, especially as Paswan already serves as a union minister. Reports also suggest the chief minister is weighing his son Nishant’s political debut—sparking speculation over succession plans .

Despite these behind-the-scenes maneuvers, the NDA remains outwardly unified. The JD(U) reaffirmed Nitish as its CM face for 2025, under the rallying cry: “2025, Phir Se Nitish”—endorsed by central party figures including Amit Shah . Chief Minister Kumar’s focus now is to project government stability and development credentials—it recently hosted strategic NDA meetings to craft a positive, development-focused election campaign .

With the 2025 legislative assembly elections approaching, Nitish Kumar’s political agility—balancing inter-party alliances, caste calculus and generational succession—may define Bihar’s political equilibrium once again.

By Staff Writer, Courtesy of Forbes | December 24, 2024 | Edited for WTFwire.com
Sources: Business Standard